The Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024 comes from one of California's coolest, most maritime-influenced pockets, a site that gives this Chardonnay a fine-boned, mineral-driven style closer to Chablis than to the richer Chardonnays of warmer California appellations. Fog and ocean air are doing real work here, keeping the wine taut rather than broad.

Lemon, green apple and white flowers lead the nose, with a distinct saline, oyster-shell minerality running underneath and a faint hint of crushed stone. The palate is precise and linear, fruit staying light and pure rather than broad or creamy, with real tension running through the middle.

Acidity is the defining feature, driving a long, chalky finish that stays fresh and energetic from first sip to last, with real persistence for a wine this delicate.

It's a natural with the coast's own produce — oysters, grilled halibut, a simple crab salad, or scallops with brown butter.

Drinking beautifully now, with the acid line to hold for another three to five years and likely to gain further nuance with time.